Mission Agency Completes Purchase of Grace UMC Property

3/27/2015

With much joy and anticipation, the General Board of Global Ministries finalized the purchase of the Grace United Methodist Church property in Atlanta last week.

Following a vote by Global Ministries’ board of directors in October 2014, the United Methodist mission agency announced plans to move its headquarters from New York City to Atlanta. The move is part of an overall plan to open regional offices in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

“I am excited to be moving toward this vision,” said Thomas Kemper, who leads the organization. He continued, “Our transition team is generating strategies that will allow us to partner with the local church and with local ministries, strengthening the way The United Methodist Church lives out God’s mission throughout the world.”

In a recent email celebrating the sale, the Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd, Grace’s senior pastor, wrote: “Grace was facing a tenuous real estate deal and a loan in the Special Assets Division. Death was on the horizon.” She continued, “Today, Grace has a future with hope and promise and mission and ministry in our community and around the world.”

Over the next year, Global Ministries will be renovating the property. The move to Atlanta is expected to be completed by fall 2016.